Ukraine and allies set up coalition to tackle Russia ballistic missile threat
Ukraine and key Western allies on Monday announced an air-defense coalition that would include jointly developing a new anti-ballistic missile system as an alternative and cheaper solution to the U.S. Patriot system.
Read more Trump recommends South Carolina’s governor appoint Lindsey Graham’s sister to finish his Senate term
With Ukraine increasingly exposed to Russian ballistic missiles, leaders gathered in Paris for a summit, where 10 countries, along with about a dozen firms from the defense sector, met to press on with what they called the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
“We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defense architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats — developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation,” the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Britain said in a statement.
“It will complement existing ballistic missile defense systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired, or to be acquired by participating countries.”
Russia has stepped up strikes on Kyiv
Ukraine is critically low on munitions for its systems and has been largely unable to down ballistic missiles, which travel at several times the speed of sound, over the past month.
It has pleaded with allies for more supplies and has also pushed Europe to work with it on its own anti-ballistic air defense system.
As Russia’s strikes have increased, Kyiv has intensified drone attacks inside Russia, targeting oil facilities and weapons production as it has shifted the battlefield momentum in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined some 25 leaders for a broader summit of the Coalition of the Willing, part of efforts that include putting together a common position that could be taken to Russia, and security guarantees to support any eventual peace deal.
Monday’s meetings come days after a NATO summit that aimed to show transatlantic unity and long-term support for Ukraine.
Russia has stepped up strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region in recent weeks, killing dozens. Officials said Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Saturday left eight dead and many more wounded.
Moscow says it only attacks targets of military relevance and denies targeting civilians.
Read more Jay-Z apologizes after Yankee Stadium show starts hours late, says there was a safety issue
Zelenskyy says new joint project to be developed
Zelenskyy had said prior to Monday’s meeting that several countries were likely to formalize the Freyja project — Ukraine’s attempt to build a European-backed, lower-cost alternative to the Patriot system.
“The more means Ukraine has to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the chance that Putin will come to the negotiating table, as his last argument in this war will no longer work,” Zelenskyy said after Monday’s announcement.
- Add NBC News to Google
“Our work on a joint system – Freyja – is not intended to replace existing systems. It is a way to supplement our defense, create a strong shield over the entirety of Europe, and do all of this faster and at a lower cost.”
Briefing reporters, a French presidency official said the meeting would also see how more U.S. Patriot interceptors could be sourced and how to advance the deployment of the Franco-Italian SAMP-T air defense system.
About a dozen companies from across Europe, including the SAMP-T manufacturer Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales, Saab as well as Ukraine’s Fire Point were among those attending.
Joint military exercises planned
The leaders meeting in Paris were also discussing how to crimp Moscow’s sources of revenue, notably the “shadow fleet”, tankers with opaque ownership structures used to evade oversight to ship Russian oil.
The European Union is set to adopt a 21st package of sanctions on Russia next week.
The coalition also announced joint military exercises as it sought to make the concept of a future multinational force in Ukraine (MNFU) more of a practical reality.
“What must be remembered is that the MNFU consists of land, air, sea and training. All of these pillars are intended to be tested continuously, to varying degrees, with all participants in order to guarantee their credibility,” the French presidency official said.
Read more Marvel actress Wai Ching Ho dies at 82
“It’s not a question of conducting exercises in Ukraine.”
